Overview

Medicinal chemistry is a highly interdisciplinary field that applies the knowledge of different aspects of chemistry to develop and modify drug and diagnostic molecules. It has had, and continues to have, a tremendous impact on society, contributing significantly to increased quality of (healthy) life and lifespan. Development of drugs/diagnostics not only requires practical and theoretical skills in, for example, small molecule synthesis of drug molecules, but it also requires an understanding of drug/diagnostic targets, and how drugs/diagnostics interact with their target. Gaining this knowledge will play an important role in the development of next generation therapeutics and diagnostics. Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences is at the heart of our teaching. The course will be delivered through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practicals – ensuring your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought. Making a choice between an MChem or BSc course can be difficult. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, don’t worry. You’ll be given advice before you begin studying and while you’re a student here. And, because of the common structure of our courses, you can transfer between the BSc and MChem in your first or second years.

About This Course

In our three-year medicinal chemistry degree programme, you will be introduced all aspects of chemistry that are important for medicine. The course will equip students with the theoretical and practical skills in chemistry that are important for medicine. This includes: advanced methods for synthesis of small molecules; analytical techniques that are important for characterization of small molecule drugs (organic and inorganic), biomolecular targets, and drug-biomolecular interactions; chemical understanding of how and why the body modifies drug molecules; and engineering biomolecules for future therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In your final year, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations, and you’ll undertake an independent research project. If you possess an inherent curiosity about how drugs are synthesized, how they interact with our body and how our body modified drug molecules, this course is an ideal choice. It will give you a real understanding of chemistry’s impact on every aspect of medicine and provides an opportunity to use your imagination for developing future therapeutics and diagnostics.